Professional & cultural exchange program for social workers and youth workers

CIF-USA
Council of International Fellowship-United States of America

Our history

Dr. Henry B. Ollendorff (1907-1979) founded the Council of International Program (CIP). He obtained his PhD in law and practiced as a labor lawyer in Germany.


He and his wife, Martha, escaped Nazi Germany in 1938 to begin their new life in the United States. Not being able to practice his profession in his new homeland, and with a special interest in youth, he attended the New York School of Social Work. He earned a master's degree and worked in a number of child and youth programs.


Dr. Ollendorff's vision was to create an international program where youth leaders and social workers from many countries could get together with the goal of bridging and appreciating racial and religious differences; person-to-person respect and international understanding for peace.